TV hostess’s career is cooking

LORNA Maseko has transformed herself from one of the most recognisable faces on television to a cooking guru who has her sights set on even bigger things.

The 33-year-old Top Billing presenter‚ who has slowly been building her cooking empire over the last few years, told Times Media that her dream of being a force in the culinary world was finally becoming a reality.

Maseko was one of the first professional ballet dancers of colour in South Africa but left the profession in 2007 to carve out a television career.

Despite her many ventures‚ cooking has always remained one of her biggest passions.

“For as long as I can remember‚ I have loved everything to do with the kitchen.

“I didn’t do culinary [studies] in school but started a series of cooking workshops a few years ago to share my enthusiasm with others who loved it just as much as me.

“Now I have my own cooking show. It’s all just so crazy‚” she said.

After successfully hosting Masterchef SA‚ Maseko finally premiered her own TV cooking show, The Hostess with Lorna Maseko, last week‚ to general acclaim.

“I was so happy with the positive response to the show.

“My team and I worked hard to make the show a reality. It was two years in the making and to see it finally all come together was quite emotional‚” she admitted.

Away from the screen‚ Maseko runs a bakery in Northern Johannesburg, which takes up a lot of her time. She also hopes to launch a number of restaurants and bakeries over the next few years.

Maseko has to keep a tight schedule due to her many commitments but said she still relied on the support of her friends‚ including her “bestie” Bonang Matheba.

“I have known Bonang for a while now. She is amazing and supportive of everything I do and I am grateful for that‚” Maseko said. — TMG